Topical Bible: Peace-offering

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Topical Encyclopedia

The peace-offering, also known as the fellowship offering, is a significant sacrificial practice detailed in the Old Testament, primarily within the Levitical law. It is one of the five main types of offerings described in the Book of Leviticus, alongside the burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, and guilt offering. The peace-offering is unique in its emphasis on communal fellowship and thanksgiving, serving as a means for the Israelites to express gratitude, fulfill vows, or seek reconciliation with God.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for the peace-offering are primarily found in Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7. The offering could be made from cattle, sheep, or goats, and it was distinct in that both the fat and certain internal organs were burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The Berean Standard Bible states in Leviticus 3:1, "If one's offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD."

Purpose and Significance

The peace-offering served multiple purposes. It was a voluntary act of worship, expressing thanksgiving and gratitude to God. It also functioned as a communal meal, symbolizing peace and fellowship between the offerer, the priest, and God. Portions of the offering were consumed by the priests and the offerer, while the fat and certain parts were burned on the altar. Leviticus 7:15 notes, "The meat of the peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; none of it may be left until morning."

Types of Peace-Offerings

1. Thanksgiving Offering: This was given in response to God's blessings or deliverance. It was a spontaneous expression of gratitude.

2. Vow Offering: Offered in fulfillment of a vow made to God, often in response to a prayer or a promise.

3. Freewill Offering: A voluntary act of worship, not prompted by any specific event or vow, but simply out of devotion to God.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The peace-offering symbolizes reconciliation and communion with God. It reflects the believer's desire to live in harmony with the Creator and acknowledges God's provision and protection. The shared meal aspect of the offering underscores the communal nature of worship and the importance of fellowship among God's people.

Theologically, the peace-offering points to the ultimate reconciliation brought about through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, including the peace-offering. Ephesians 2:14 states, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility."

Ritual and Practice

The ritual of the peace-offering involved the laying on of hands, the slaughtering of the animal, and the sprinkling of its blood on the altar. The fat and certain organs were burned, while the breast and right thigh were given to the priests. The remaining meat was consumed by the offerer and his family, symbolizing a shared meal with God.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, peace-offerings were not unique to Israel. Similar practices were found among neighboring cultures, often as a means to appease deities or seek favor. However, the Israelite peace-offering was distinct in its covenantal context, emphasizing a relationship with Yahweh based on His revealed law and promises.

Conclusion

The peace-offering remains a profound expression of worship, gratitude, and fellowship in the biblical narrative. It highlights the importance of communal worship and the believer's relationship with God, ultimately pointing to the peace and reconciliation found in Christ.

Strong's Hebrew

8002. shelem -- a sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace ...
... a sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering. Transliteration: shelem
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-lem) Short Definition: offerings. ... peace offering. ...
/hebrew/8002.htm - 6k

Library

The Eating of the Peace-Offering
... THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY THE EATING OF THE PEACE-OFFERING. ... There were three bloody
sacrifices, the sin-offering, the burnt- offering, and the peace-offering. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eating of the peace-offering.htm

Leviticus.
... (3) Personal Sacrifices, including. (a) the blood offering-peace offering, sin offering
and trespass offering,. ... 2. Meal offering, Ch.2. 3. Peace offering, Ch.3. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Feasting on the Sacrifice
... 'The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offering for thanksgiving shall be offered
in the day of his oblation.' Such was the law for Israel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/feasting on the sacrifice.htm

Separation to God.
... Having fulfilled the ordinances he was blameless; but the necessity alike for
sin-offering, for burnt-offering, and for peace offering, remind us of the sin of ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

The Collar of Gold
... Her face relaxed instantly. "But I fear I have not set about it wisely," he added.
"Let me give thee a peace-offering to prove my contrition.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ix the collar of.htm

The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... put frankincense thereon." Leviticus 2:2. "And if his oblation be a sacrifice
of peace offering, ... he shall lay his hand upon ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/v the attack on the.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... burnt offering. This, under the Mosaic service, was split into parts, - the
peace offering, trespass offering, sin offering, etc. In ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter v the blood of.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... LESSON VI. THE KINGDOM OF ALL ISRAEL. "As is the fat taken away from the
peace-offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel ... ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Leviticus
... Laws for the peace-offering"the offerer kills it, the priest sprinkles the blood
on the sides of the altar and burns the fat (iii.) For an unconscious ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

The Debt of Israel
... shame. "His peace-offering"a proof of his good will, and thou didst mistreat
it, as if he had meant it for a purchase or a fee. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter x the debt of.htm

Thesaurus

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)
Peace-offering. Peace-makers, Peace-offering. Peace-offerings .
Multi-Version Concordance Peace-offering (46 Occurrences). ...
/p/peace-offering.htm - 21k

Yearling (48 Occurrences)
... offering; (DBY). Numbers 7:17 and for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two oxen,
five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was ...
/y/yearling.htm - 19k

Nazarite (8 Occurrences)
... the sanctuary with (1) a he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, (2) a ewe
lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, and (3) a ram for a peace-offering...
/n/nazarite.htm - 13k

Presenteth (10 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that presenteth the
sacrifice of his peace-offering to Jehovah shall bring his offering to Jehovah ...
/p/presenteth.htm - 9k

Covereth (61 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 3:3 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peaceoffering an offering
made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the ...
/c/covereth.htm - 24k

Oblation (208 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Leviticus 3:1 And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peaceoffering, if he
offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without ...
/o/oblation.htm - 40k

Presented (114 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offering of thanksgiving
shall be eaten the same day that it is presented; he shall not let any of ...
/p/presented.htm - 37k

Peoples (305 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:20 But the soul that eateth the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offering
which is for Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be ...
/p/peoples.htm - 37k

Heifer (22 Occurrences)
... In the sacrifices proper the heifer could be used for a peaceoffering (Leviticus
3:1), but was forbidden for the burnt (Leviticus 1:3) or sin (Leviticus 4:3 ...
/h/heifer.htm - 30k

Pleasing (185 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:18 And if any of the flesh of the peace-offering is taken as food on
the third day, it will not be pleasing to God and will not be put to the ...
/p/pleasing.htm - 37k

Resources

What is a peace offering / fellowship offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

What is a heave offering? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Exodus 24:5
And he sent the young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt-offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 3:1
And if his offering be a sacrifice of peace-offerings: if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 3:3
And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 3:6
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD be of the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 3:9
And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto the LORD: the fat thereof, the fat tail entire, which he shall take away hard by the rump-bone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:10
as it is taken off from the ox of the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make them smoke upon the altar of burnt-offering.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:26
And all the fat thereof shall he make smoke upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin, and he shall be forgiven.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:31
And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make it smoke upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:35
And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make them smoke on the altar, upon the offerings of the LORD made by fire; and the priest shall make atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned, and he shall be forgiven.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 6:12
And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning thereby, it shall not go out; and the priest shall kindle wood on it every morning; and he shall lay the burnt-offering in order upon it, and shall make smoke thereon the fat of the peace-offerings.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:11
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which one may offer unto the LORD.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:13
With cakes of leavened bread he shall present his offering with the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:14
And of it he shall present one out of each offering for a gift unto the LORD; it shall be the priest's that dasheth the blood of the peace-offerings against the altar.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:15
And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.
(Root in JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:18
And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings be at all eaten on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it; it shall be an abhorred thing, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:20
But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:21
And when any one shall touch any unclean thing, whether it be the uncleanness of man, or an unclean beast, or any unclean detestable thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:29
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: He that offereth his sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD shall bring his offering unto the LORD out of his sacrifice of peace-offerings.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:33
He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace-offerings, and the fat, shall have the right thigh for a portion.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 7:37
This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the guilt-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of the sacrifice of peace-offerings;
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 9:4
and an ox and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meal-offering mingled with oil; for to-day the LORD appeareth unto you.'
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 9:18
He slew also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which was for the people; and Aaron's sons delivered unto him the blood, and he dashed it against the altar round about,
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 9:22
And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 19:5
And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted.
(Root in JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 22:21
And whosoever bringeth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD in fulfilment of a vow clearly uttered, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 23:19
And ye shall offer one he-goat for a sin-offering, and two he-lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace-offerings.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 6:17
And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread; the priest shall offer also the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 6:18
And the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the door of the tent of meeting, and shall take the hair of his consecrated head, and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace-offerings.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:17
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:23
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:29
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:35
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:41
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:47
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:53
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:59
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lamb of the first year. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:65
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:71
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:77
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:83
and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 7:88
and all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace-offerings twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he-goats sixty, the he-lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication-offering of the altar, after that it was anointed.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 10:10
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your appointed seasons, and in your new moons, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.'
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 15:8
And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt-offering, or for a sacrifice, in fulfilment of a vow clearly uttered, or for peace-offerings unto the LORD;
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

2 Kings 16:13
And he offered his burnt-offering and his meal-offering, and poured his drink-offering, and dashed the blood of his peace-offerings against the altar.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Ezekiel 46:12
And when the prince shall prepare a freewill-offering, a burnt-offering or peace-offerings as a freewill-offering unto the LORD, one shall open for him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, as he doth on the sabbath day; then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Amos 5:22
Yea, though ye offer me burnt-offerings and your meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.
(Root in JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Peace-offering

Related Terms

Rams (81 Occurrences)

Lambs (107 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Offers (35 Occurrences)

Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences)

He-goats (38 Occurrences)

Oxen (176 Occurrences)

Offereth (28 Occurrences)

Oblations (24 Occurrences)